Wildlife and Wilderness in Zakouma NP

Join two specialist safari guides to explore the abundant wildlife and rugged landscapes of Zakouma National Park, one of Africa's last remaining wildernesses. The park is renowned for its exceptional birdlife, lion populations and crocodile-filled rivers.

Safari Overview

Step off the usual African safari trail to discover the wild, untamed landscapes of Zakouma National Park in Chad alongside two specialist safari guides. The Chadian government have committed to protecting the flora and fauna of the region so there is plenty of wildlife to see and photograph during your game drives and nature walks. Camp Nomade is a well-equipped tented camp (in a comfortable fly camp style) full of character that truly captures the romance of nomadic culture.

What makes this trip extraordinary

Track the healthy resident lion population in Zakouma National Park

Enjoy flexible daily activities with the possibility of engaging with the African Parks Conservation Network

Watch wildlife gather around the park’s pans, including vast elephant herds and a huge array of birdlife

Learn from two specialist safari guides who are experts in the region

Explore the far reaches of the park with the use of a fly-camp rig and two safari vehicles

The vast landscapes of Zakouma National Park make you feel like you are exploring one of the last true wildernesses of Africa.

Day by day

Day 1

10 Feb: Arrive N’Djamena

Upon arrival into N’Djamena, you will be met by your dedicated safari guides as well as your ground team. Afterwards you will transfer by road to the Hilton Hotel for the night; dependent on your time of arrival, you may want to relax in the hotel, experience N’Djamena's horse-racing scene, or partake in sundowners overlooking the Chari River and Cameroon beyond.

Day 2

11 Feb: N’Djamena – Zakouma National Park

After an early breakfast your Chad adventure really begins. Transfer back to the airport with your team ready to catch your charter flight to Zakouma National Park. Board your Cessna Caravan 208 for the 2.5-hour flight across Chad’s rugged landscape before touching down and driving through the wilderness to Camp Nomade, the mobile tented camp that will be your home for the next week.

12-17 Feb: Zakouma National Park

The next seven days will be spent discovering Zakouma National Park with your naturalist guides and exploring the local area. You will have the chance to use Camp Nomade and also a mobile fly-camp as nightly bases to put you in the best spots for proximity to wildlife and stunning sunset locations. Camp Nomade is set in a prime location overlooking Rigueik Pan, which attracts myriad wildlife from miles around. The camp will be exclusive to you and your fellow travellers on this safari, which, combined with the use of two safari vehicles, gives you and your guides complete flexibility. Each day you will set out around sunrise - after a pre-breakfast of tea/coffee and biscuits - in search of game and an array of birdlife. Marvel at the clouds of millions of quelea birds as they set off through the early-morning skies and come into roost as you enjoy sundowners on the pans. Zakouma is also home to lion, giraffe, gazelle, elephant, Cape buffalo, Lelwel’s hartebeest, patas monkey and more. Depending on energy levels and animal activity in the vicinity of the camp, you’ll also be able to embark on night drives after dinner in search of the park’s nocturnal creatures, including the serval, civet and pale fox.

18 Feb: Zakouma National Park – N’Djamena

Today is your last morning in the park before boarding your charter flight back to N’Djamena. Say goodbye to your guides before connecting to your onward international flight.

Trip Details

small group information

This set departure has limited space for eight guests. Daily activities will be decided by your guides based on weather conditions and wildlife activity. This is a unique frontier style trip with the emphasis on exploration rather than specifically wildlife or culture.

For more of an insight into this safari, read NWS MD Will Bolsover's Chad safari blog!